San Diego

A coastal metropolis with small-town charm

FIDM San Diego is where big-city glamour intersects with small-town appeal. California's second-largest and fastest-growing city, San Diego is home to the Fashion Valley Shopping Center, the largest revenue-producing mall in the nation. Moreover, the city's location on the coast and near the border makes it attractive to global apparel manufacturers. With a thriving retail environment and new trade agreements with international manufacturers, San Diego is where the future of fashion will take place.

In & Around San Diego

Non-Stop Shopping

It's no secret that some of the world's most famous fashionistas live in California, and even those who aren't residents find California to be among the premiere shopping destinations. From cheap 'n' chic fashion trends to designer duds hot off the runway, and everything in between, California offers amazing retail therapy to make even the most discriminating shopaholic's dreams come true. With so many wonderful places to shop, it would be impossible to list them all, but here are some suggestions.

San Diego offers:

• The Gaslamp Quarter, home to a number of cool boutiques.
• Westfield Horton Plaza, a huge outdoor mall in the heart of Downtown.
• Fashion Valley for a range of fashionable boutiques and the area's only M.A.C. counter.

Culture

No matter where you are, there's never a dull moment in the Golden State. With its plentiful cultural and art museums, galleries, theaters, and performance art venues, California's got it going on - whether you're listening to a Tibetan Tantric Choir in San Diego, comparing Picasso and Pollock in Orange County, seeing the latest Broadway play in Los Angeles, or celebrating the Chinese New Year in San Francisco.

San Diego offers:

• Plaza del Pasado in Old Town San Diego, a 4-acre historic park of museums, shops, and restaurants.
• The Old Globe Theater for a variety of plays and Broadway productions.
• Balboa Park, home to the famous San Diego Zoo and Sea World, as well as nearly 20% of the city's 90 museums.

The Great Outdoors

Whether surfing or skiing, hang-gliding or hiking, camping or canoeing, Californians are known to take advantage of the beautiful weather by getting their gear and heading outdoors. With over 1.3 million acres of terrain that's suitable for a variety of outdoor activities, California has something to offer every outdoor enthusiast.

San Diego offers:

• Torrey Pines International Gliderport, a great place to try hangliding or just watch the sunset.
• Pacific Beach, a popular destination for swimming, surfing, and rollerblading along the boardwalk.
• Seven Caves in La Jolla for canoeing or kayaking.